Functional optical module

ABSTRACT

There are provided a power supply device for an optical functional component that supplies power to the optical functional component with reliability for a long term and enables easy exchange of the optical functional component, and an optical functional module having such a power supply device, where the power supply device is provided with a reception electrode  104 , a power supply electrode  107 - 1  that supplies power to the reception electrode  104  while holding tight the reception electrode  104  on its side faces and thereby holding an optical functional component  105 - 1  detachably, and a protecting member  108  that is made of an insulating material and surrounds the power supply electrode  107 - 1  to prevent current leaks, and the power supply electrode  107 - 1  is comprised of two bent metallic members ( 107 - 1   a  and  107 - 1 B) which are in intimate contact with the reception electrode  104  by elasticity.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/269,499, filed on Oct. 11, 2002, the content of which isincorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The first invention relates to a functional optical module having aferrule that holds an optical fiber used in optical communications orthe like, a collimator provided in contact with the ferrule, and anoptical functional component that exerts a predetermined effect on acollimated light beam.

The second invention relates to a power supply device for an opticalfunctional component that exerts a predetermined effect on a light beam,and an optical functional module provided with the power supply device.

The third invention relates to an optical switch used in, for example,optical path switching in an optical communication field.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

(First Invention)

FIG. 1-11 is a schematic view of a conventional functional opticalmodule 100. In addition, the functional optical module 100 is providedwith a variable optical attenuator as an optical functional component,but to facilitate explanations, only an optical absorptive filter 101that attenuates the light is illustrated with driving components orothers for driving the filter omitted.

The optical absorptive filter 101 is an optical absorptive member havinga thickness gradient in the longitudinal direction viewed in the figure,is disposed in the direction perpendicular to a light beam 103 outputfrom a collimator 102-1 connected with an optical fiber, travels in thedirection of an arrow A or B, changes an absorbance coefficient of thelight beam 103, and thereby attenuates the optical beam. The opticalbeam 103 attenuated by the optical absorptive filter 101 is input to acollimator 102-2.

To obtain a parallel arrangement of collimators, for example, a V-shapedgroove for fiber guide is provided on a silicon substrate or glasssubstrate, and on the groove an optical fiber collimator is disposedwhich is obtained by fusion-splicing an SM (Single Mode) fiber in itsfront end with a GI (Graded Index) fiber with a predetermined length andthereby is provided with the lens function.

(Second Invention)

FIG. 2-12 is a perspective view of a conventional optical functionalmodule 800.

The conventional optical functional module 800 has a collimator 802connected to an optical fiber 801, an optical functional component 803,and a housing 804 that holds the collimator 802 and optical functionalcomponent 803. In addition, this embodiment illustrates the case ofusing a photodiode, as the optical functional component 803, whichconverts light emitted from the collimator 802 into an electric signal.

To supply the power to the optical functional component 803, in generala reception electrode 805 provided on an upper surface of the opticalfunctional component 803 is bonded with a poser supply electrode 806provided on the housing 804 using fine wiring 807, and the power supplyelectrode 806 is connected with an external power supply (not shown).

(Third Embodiment)

With the advent of the broad-band era, increases in data transmissionamount are further required. Then, optical communications allowinglarge-capacity data transmission have been applied widely to localareas, companies, personal use and so on, in addition to optical fibersubscriber networks.

Thus applying optical communications to various channel networksincreases the importance of an optical switch indispensable to, forexample, optical path switching in intra-channel or between-channel andchannel switching under fault conditions.

As a conventional optical switch, for example, a switch is disclosed inwhich using a Micro-Electro Mechanical System (MEMS) technique, a micromirror is moved up and down on a silicon substrate, a light beam isreflected by the mirror moving up and down, and thereby optical pathsare switched (1999 EICE Conference, C-3-144).

Further, as a switch (hereinafter referred to as a 2×2 optical switch)having two inputs and two outputs of optical signals, an optical switchis disclosed in which a micro mirror is loaded and unloaded at anintersection where a plurality of optical fibers crosses at a 90-degreeangle and thereby an optical path is changed (for example, EEE PhotonicsTechnology Letters, Vol. 11, No. 11, November 1999, pages 1396-1398 andJournal of Lightwave Technology, Vol. 17, No. 1, January 1999, pages2-6.)

Furthermore, a switch is disclosed in which four fiber collimators eachwith a GI (Graded Index) fiber fusion-spliced in its front end aredisposed on four V-shaped grooves respectively on a silicon substrate, areflector disposed at an incident light output side of the fibercollimator is moved up and down by magnetic force of a permanent magnet,electromagnet or the like, and the reflector moving up and down switchesan optical path of the light beam incident through the fiber collimator(see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication 2000-98270).

Moreover, there is disclosed a switch in which an intersection ofoptical paths is provided on a waveguide, and a waveguide typerefractive index matching member is loaded and unloaded at theintersection, and thereby optical paths are switched (Journal ofLightwave Technology, Vol. 17, No. 1, January 1999, pages 14-18).

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

(First Invention)

However, following problems exist in using the above-mentionedconventional collimator, optical functional component, and functionaloptical module provided with the collimator and component in a DWDM(Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing) communication scheme.

First, when conventional optical functional components are used in eachwavelength in the DWDM communication scheme, the number of components isestimated to exceed 100. In this case, since a single optical functionalcomponent has a size to some extent, the entire device occupies anenormously large capacity. With respect to an AWG (Array Wave GuideGrating) wavelength division multiplexing device, although variouscomponents are integrated on a single chip, the device is a few cm inlength currently, and has problems with its capacity.

Further, in the case of an optical connector such that fiber guides areprovided in parallel on a chip produced using a semiconductor productiontechnique, it is difficult to attach an optical fiber to a fiber guide.Moreover, it is required to carefully handle an optical fiber removedfrom a chip to prevent occurrences of breakage and insertion loss ofoptical fiber in assembly.

In order to permanently prevent such occurrences of breakage andaddition loss of optical fiber, it is required to provide a protectingmember such as a housing to protect components from dusts in the air,resulting in problems that production processes become more complicatedand production facilities are upsized. The AWG wavelength divisionmultiplexing device has also has such problems; it is difficult toconnect each waveguide and an optical fiber and handle the opticalfiber.

Further, in the case of placing optical fibers on the V-shaped groove,it is necessary to provide on the substrate a through hole for fixing alens in the direction toward the outside from an end portion of theV-shaped groove. In this case, for conveniences in arrangement ofoptical fiber and lens, a size of the lens is limited to within a pitchof the V-shaped groove. Furthermore, low dimensional accuracy of a lenscauses deviations in position and direction of an optical axis of alight beam, thus disabling predetermined functions.

The above problems do not arise in using the above-mentioned opticalfiber collimator composed of an SM fiber with a GI fiber fusion-splicedin its front end, but such an optical fiber collimator has followingproblems.

Optical functional components have different optical properties withtypes. For example, in the case of a laser light emitting device, whenoptical properties of a laser light emitting device are not coincidentwith optical properties of a lens, the optical function is not exhibitedproperly, nor predetermined effects are not obtained. Accordingly, theexchange of an optical functional component with another one may requireconcurrent exchange of a lens having optical properties matching thoseof the optical functional component.

In the optical collimator, as described above, since a lens and opticalfiber is fusion-spliced, it is impossible to exchange only the lens.Exchanging the lens requires fusion-splicing a lens again with theoptical fiber. This process includes complicated operations such asremoving a protecting member and aligning an optical axis of opticalfiber, puts an enormous load on its supplier in cost, facilities andoperation efficiency, and is virtually impossible to execute.

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the first invention toprovide a collimator, compact in size and excellent in durability,enabling only an optical functional component to be performed readilywhen exchange of a lens is not required, further enabling exchange ofthe lens and of the optical functional component to be performedpromptly and readily when exchange of the lens is required, furthermoreenabling exchange of a lens, and further provide such an exchange typeof a functional optical module.

(Second Invention)

However, there have been following problems with the above-mentionedconventional technique.

First, since the reception electrode of the optical functional componentand the power supply electrode of the housing are connected by boding,when the need arises of exchanging the optical functional component withanother optical functional component with a different function, it isnecessary to open the housing, remove the bonded wires, dispose a newoptical functional component, and perform bonding again, and thus anenormous load is put on its supplier.

Further, since the reception electrode is provided on a surface of thesubstrate of the optical functional component, the surface needs tooppose to a capillary for bonding to perform bonding to the opticalfunctional component. Furthermore, a general capillary for bonding isconfigured to operate upwardly and downwardly, which results in that thereception electrode is provided upwardly, and it is difficult to producea sideward optical functional component.

In solve this problem, it is considered to provide a reception electrodeon a side face of an optical functional component. However, sinceoptical functional components are produced collectively on asemiconductor wafer every a few tens to thousands of components anddicing the wafer obtains each component, each component does not haveside faces before undergoing dicing. In other words, since the side faceis formed only after dicing, providing a reception electrode on a sideface of each component requires an apparatus and process for providingan electrode on a side face of each component after dicing.

However, electrode formation in the semiconductor production process isgenerally performed by deposition or sputtering, and in order to form areception electrode on a side face of each component by the depositionor sputtering, a step of rearranging a number of components is necessaryso that a side face of each of the components becomes a target for thedeposition or sputtering, which puts an enormous load on the supplier incost, apparatus and process, and is virtually impossible to implement.

Further, it is necessary to fix wiring to the electrode with reliabilityin attaching the wiring by bonding, and heating the electrode and/orultrasonic irradiation is performed.

However, the component sensitive to heat and/or vibration restrictsheating condition and/or ultrasonic condition, and there arises a casethat the electrode cannot be fixed with reliability.

Further, since the wiring for use in boding is generally composed of afine metal line with approximately few μm, a break may occur in thewiring due to fine dusts, dirt and/or wind. Therefore required is that ahousing accommodating the optical functional component is vacuum-sealed.

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the second invention toprovide a power supply device for an optical functional component thatsupplies power to the optical functional component with reliability fora long term and enables easy exchange of the optical functionalcomponent, and an optical functional module having such a power supplydevice.

(Third Invention)

The conventional mirror moving type of optical switch has followingproblems.

First, it is very difficult to connect an optical fiber and the switch.For example, in the method of moving a mirror on a substrate, since alight beam is reflected by the mirror, it is required to enhanceaccuracy in arrangement of the optical fiber and mirror. Therefore, theswitch is often provided with a V-shaped groove on which an opticalfiber is placed.

In the optical switch using a V-shaped groove, an optical fiber is notfixed when placed on the V-shaped groove, and after placing the opticalfiber on the V-shaped groove, the V-shaped groove is covered and thusthe optical fiber is fixed. However, there is a risk that the opticalfiber escapes from the V-shaped groove when the V-shaped groove iscovered, and highly precise assembly is required.

Second, in the conventional mirror moving type of optical switch, anoptical path of a light beam is switched by mirror reflection andtransmission. Therefore, an optical fiber at a light-beam input side andan optical fiber at a light-beam output side are spaced perpendicularly(90°) to each other. In particular, in a 2×2 optical switch, opticalfibers extend in four directions perpendicular to one another around theswitch, resulting in an upsized optical switch.

Third, in the conventional mirror moving type of optical switch, sinceit is necessary to precisely guide a light beam to each of the opticalfibers at input and output sides, each of the optical fibers at inputand output sides is fusion-spiced in its front end at a light-beamoutput side with a GI fiber and thus the optical fibers at input andoutput sides are used as fiber collimators, or respective end faces ofoptical fibers at input and output sides are disposed closely to eachother as possible.

However, when a fiber collimator is used, the fusion may causefluctuations in refractive index distribution of a GI fiber, and it isnot possible to obtain a desired form for characteristics of collimator,thus resulting in increased insertion loss.

Further, in a configuration in which respective end faces of opticalfibers at input and output sides are disposed closely to each other aspossible, in order to implement a low loss to the extent of practicaluse, a distance between the end faces of the fibers needs to be within afew tens μm. To implement such a distance between the end faces, it isnecessary to provide the fiber with a specialized process to taper afront end of the fiber, and thus the extremely complicated process isrequired.

Meanwhile, in the optical switch disclosed in JP 2000-98270, in additionto the problems in the assembly caused by supporting an optical fiber ona V-shaped groove, and in fluctuations in refractive index caused byfusion-splicing of a GI fiber, a reflector moving device such as apermanent magnet or electromagnet is required separately and externallyfrom main portions (fiber collimator and reflective plate) of theswitch, thus upsizing the optical switch.

Further, in the optical switch disclosed in JP 2000-98270, itsconfiguration makes it difficult to align the fiber collimator andreflector, and there arises a risk of introducing an optical loss.Furthermore, as described above, since there are a large number of partscomposing the optical switch which are provided independently of eachother, complicated assembly and alignment adjustments for the parts areneeded.

Then, in the conventional optical switch with a configuration in which awaveguide type refractive index matching member is inserted and removedat an intersection portion of waveguides, there are problems that theoperation speed is low and thus the practicality is low, and that acoupling loss of optical fibers of a rectangle waveguide and of acircular waveguide is increased as compared to a coupling loss ofcircular waveguides (optical fibers) and thus the practicalitydeteriorates.

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the third invention toprovide an optical switch compact in size and greatly easy in handlingand assembly.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

(First Invention)

Embodiments of the first invention will be disclosed below.

A first embodiment of the first invention is a functional optical modulewhich comprises:

(a) a first ferrule that holds at least one optical fiber;

(b) a lens unit that is capable of coming into contact with the ferruleand holds a collimator lens;

(c) an optical functional component that is capable of coming intocontact with the lens unit and exerts a predetermined effect on a lightbeam incident from the optical fiber of the ferrule;

(d) a second ferrule that is capable of coming into contact with theoptical functional component and holds at least one optical fiber; and

(e) integrating means for integrally combining the first ferrule, thesecond ferrule, the lens unit and the optical functional component,while aligning ferrules, the unit and the component.

A second embodiment of the first invention is a functional opticalmodule further comprising a lens unit that is provided between theoptical functional component and the second ferrule and holds acollimator lens.

A third embodiment of the first invention is a functional optical modulein which the lens unit and the ferrule are integrally formed.

A fourth embodiment of the first invention is a functional opticalmodule in which a light beam output from the collimator lens is acollimated light beam with a spread degree of within ±2°, and athickness of the optical functional component that exerts apredetermined effect on the collimated light beam is less than or equalto twice a focal length of the collimator lens.

A fifth embodiment of the first invention is a functional optical modulein which the collimator lens has a refractive index with anapproximately square distribution with respect to a center of the lens.

A sixth embodiment of the first invention is a functional optical modulein which the collimator lens has anti-reflection coating on an end faceportion at its one side or both sides.

A seventh embodiment of the first invention is a functional opticalmodule in which the collimator lens is made of a graded index fiber.

An eighth embodiment of the first invention is a functional opticalmodule in which the optical functional component is an opticalattenuator.

A ninth embodiment of the first invention is a functional optical modulein which the optical attenuator is an attenuator provided with a lightshield plate adjustable in position with respect to a light beam.

A tenth embodiment of the first invention is a functional optical modulein which the optical attenuator is plate-shaped metallic silicon with asputtered metal thin film.

An eleventh embodiment of the first invention is a functional opticalmodule in which the optical attenuator is a liquid crystal plate capableof adjusting incident light.

A twelfth embodiment of the first invention is a functional opticalmodule in which the optical attenuator is a dielectric multilayer film.

A thirteenth embodiment of the first invention is a functional opticalmodule in which the integrating means is comprised of a guide pin whichis fixed to one of the ferrules and engages in a through hole providedin each of the lens unit, the optical functional component, the otherlens unit, and/or the other one of the ferrules.

A fourteenth embodiment of the first invention is a functional opticalmodule in which the integrating means is further provided with a clipmember that brings the ferrules, lens unit and the optical functionalcomponent into intimate contact with one another.

A fifteenth embodiment of the first invention is a functional opticalmodule in which the integrating means is further provided with a latchportion which is provided in one of the ferrules and engages in anengaging portion provided in the lens unit, the optical functionalcomponent or the other one of the ferrules.

A sixteenth embodiment of the first invention is a functional opticalmodule which comprises:

(a) a ferrule that holds at least one optical fiber;

(b) a lens unit that is capable of coming into contact with the ferruleand holds a collimator lens;

(c) an optical functional component capable of coming into contact withthe lens unit; and

(d) integrating means for integrally combining and aligning the ferrule,the lens unit and the optical functional component.

A seventeenth embodiment of the present invention is a functionaloptical module in which the optical functional component is asurface-emitting laser device.

An eighteenth embodiment of the first invention is a functional opticalmodule in which a light beam output from the collimator lens is acollimated light beam with a spread degree of within ±2°.

A nineteenth embodiment of the first invention is a functional opticalmodule in which the collimator lens has a refractive index with anapproximately square distribution.

A twentieth embodiment of the first invention is a functional opticalmodule in which the collimator lens is made of a graded index fiber.

A twenty-first embodiment of the first invention is a functional opticalmodule in which the integrating means is comprised of a guide pin whichis fixed to the ferrule and passes through a through hole provided inthe lens unit.

A twenty-second embodiment of the first invention is a functionaloptical module in which the integrating means is further provided with alatch portion which is provided in the ferrule and engages in anengaging portion provided in the lens unit, the optical functionalcomponent or another ferrule.

(Second Invention)

A first embodiment of the second invention is a power supply device foran optical functional component which comprises:

(a) a reception electrode provided on a surface of the opticalfunctional component; and

(b) a power supply electrode that supplies power to the receptionelectrode while holding tight the reception electrode on its side facesand thereby holding the optical functional component detachably.

A second embodiment of the second invention is a power supply device foran optical functional component further provided with a protectingmember that is made of an insulating material and surrounds the powersupply electrode to prevent current leaks.

A third embodiment of the second invention is a power supply device foran optical functional component in which the power supply electrode isprovided with two bent metallic members which are in intimate contactwith the reception electrode by elasticity.

A fourth embodiment of the second invention is a power supply device foran optical functional component in which the power supply electrode isprovided with a bent metallic member which is in intimate contact withthe reception electrode by elasticity.

A fifth embodiment of the second invention is power supply device for anoptical functional component in which the power supply electrode isprovided with two metallic members and contacting means for bringing thetwo metallic members into intimate contact with the reception electrode.

A sixth embodiment of the second invention is a power supply device foran optical functional component in which the contacting means is aspring.

A seventh embodiment of the second invention is an optical functionalmodule which comprises:

(a) at least one cable holding member that holds an optical fiber;

(b) an optical functional component that exerts a predetermined effecton light;

(c) a power supply device for the optical functional component providedwith a reception electrode provided on a surface of the opticalfunctional component, and a power supply electrode that supplies powerto the reception electrode while holding tight the reception electrodeon its side faces and thereby holding the optical functional componentdetachably; and

(d) a housing that secures the cable holding means and the power supplyelectrode.

An eighth embodiment of the present invention is an optical functionalmodule in which the cable holding member is provided with a collimatorlens.

A ninth embodiment of the second invention is optical functional modulein which the power supply device for the optical functional component isfurther provided with a protecting member that is made of an insulatingmaterial and surrounds the power supply electrode to prevent currentleaks.

A tenth embodiment of the second invention is an optical functionalmodule in which the power supply electrode is provided with two bentmetallic members which are in intimate contact with the receptionelectrode by elasticity.

An eleventh embodiment of the second invention is an optical functionalmodule in which the power supply electrode is provided with a bentmetallic member which is in intimate contact with the receptionelectrode by elasticity.

A twelfth embodiment of the second invention is an optical functionalmodule in which the power supply electrode is provided with two metallicmembers and contacting means for bringing the two metallic members intointimate contact with the reception electrode.

A thirteenth embodiment of the second invention is an optical functionalmodule in which the contacting means is a spring.

A fourteenth embodiment of the second invention is an optical functionalmodule in which the optical functional component is an MEMS component.

(Third Invention)

A first embodiment of the third invention comprises a connector modulehaving incorporated a plurality of input optical paths for light-beaminput and a plurality of output optical paths for light-beam outputcorresponding to the plurality of input optical paths, a light-beamreflecting member that is accommodated in the connector module andreflects a plurality of light beams incident through the plurality ofinput optical paths to output to the plurality of output optical pathswhile switching the output optical paths, and aligning means attached tothe connector module for aligning the connector module and thelight-beam reflecting member.

In the second embodiment of the third invention, a collimating member isfurther provided which is attached to the connector module andcollimates each of light beams input from the plurality of input opticalpaths and light beams output to the plurality of output optical paths ofthe connector, and the aligning means aligns the connector module, thecollimator member and the light-beam reflecting member.

In the third embodiment of the third invention, the plurality of inputoptical paths is composed of a first input optical path and a secondinput optical path, while the plurality of output optical paths iscomposed of a first output optical path and a second output opticalpath, and the light-beam reflecting means has a first reflector thatreflects incident light from the first input optical path to the firstoutput optical path, while reflecting incident light from the secondinput optical path to the second output optical path, and a secondreflector that reflects incident light from the first input optical pathto the second output optical path, while reflecting incident light fromthe second input optical path to the first output optical path.

In the fourth embodiment of the third invention, the plurality of inputoptical paths and the plurality of the output optical paths are formedof a plurality of light-beam input optical fibers and a plurality oflight-beam output optical fibers respectively, the connector module isprovided with a receptacle having a hollow portion including an openingface, and a connector which secures the plurality of light-beam inputoptical fibers and the plurality of light-beam output optical fiberswith the fibers arranged in parallel with one another and which engagesin the hollow portion of the receptacle, and the light-beam reflectingmember is accommodated detachably in the hollow portion of thereceptacle.

In the fifth embodiment of the third invention, the collimating memberhas a plurality of collimator lenses provided in coaxial state withrespect to the plurality of light-beam input optical fibers and theplurality of light-beam output optical fibers, and a lens connector thatholds the collimator lenses and is attached detachably to the connector.

In the sixth embodiment of the third invention, the aligning means isprovided with guide pin holes respectively formed in coaxial state inthe connector, the lens connector and the light-beam reflecting member,and a guide pin that is inserted into each of the guide pin holes andintegrally combines the connector, the lens connector and the light-beamreflecting member.

In the seventh embodiment of the third invention comprises a receptaclehaving a hollow portion in which a connector detachably engages, theconnector having incorporated a plurality of input optical paths forlight-beam input and a plurality of output optical paths for light-beamoutput corresponding to the plurality of input optical paths, alight-beam reflecting member that is accommodated in the hollow portionof the receptacle and reflects a plurality of light beams input throughthe plurality of input optical paths to output to the plurality ofoutput optical paths while switching the output optical paths, andaligning means for being capable of engaging in the connector and whenthe connector is engaged, aligning the connector and the light-beamreflecting means.

In the eighth embodiment of the third invention, the receptacle has afastening hole for latching the connector, and the connector has anengaging portion capable of being engaged and fastened in the fasteninghole and engages detachably in the hollow portion of the receptacleusing the engaging portion and the fastening hole of the receptacle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(First Invention)

FIG. 1-1A is a perspective view showing part of a configuration of afunctional optical module according to one embodiment of the firstinvention; FIG. 1-1B is a perspective view showing integrally combinedlens unit and ferrule;

FIG. 1-2A is perspective view showing a configuration of the functionaloptical module according to the one embodiment of the first invention;

FIG. 1-2B is a perspective view showing integrally combined all membersof FIG. 2A;

FIG. 1-3A is a schematic view of a variable optical attenuator;

FIG. 1-3B is an enlarged view of the variable optical attenuator shownin FIG. 1-3A;

FIG. 1-4 is a view showing a liquid crystal optical attenuator;

FIG. 1-5 is a view showing a dielectric thin film optical attenuator;

FIG. 1-6 is a perspective view of an integrally combined functionaloptical module;

FIG. 1-7 is a perspective view of a functional optical module integrallycombined by a latch member;

FIG. 1-8A is a perspective view of a configuration of a functionaloptical module provided with a surface-emitting laser of the firstinvention;

FIG. 1-8B is a perspective view showing integrally combined all membersof FIG. 1-8A;

FIG. 1-9A is a perspective view showing a configuration of asurface-emitting laser device;

FIG. 1-9B is an enlarge view of a main body of the device shown in FIG.1-9A;

FIG. 1-10A is a perspective view showing a configuration of thefunctional optical module shown in FIG. 1-8A;

FIG. 1-10B is a view showing the functional optical module shown in FIG.1-10B assembled by a latch; and

FIG. 1-11 is a schematic view of a conventional functional opticalmodule 100.

(Second Embodiment)

FIG. 2-1 is a perspective view of an optical functional module accordingto a first embodiment of the second invention;

FIG. 2-2A is an enlarged perspective view of a protecting member and apower supply electrode of FIG. 2-1;

FIG. 2-2B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the protecting memberand the power supply electrode of FIG. 2-1;

FIG. 2-3 is an enlarged perspective view of a photo diode, theprotecting member and the power supply electrode of FIG. 2-1;

FIG. 2-4 is a perspective view of an optical functional module accordingto a second embodiment of the second invention;

FIG. 2-5 is a perspective view of an optical functional module accordingto a third embodiment of the second invention;

FIG. 2-6A is a perspective view of an optical functional moduleaccording to a fourth embodiment of the second invention;

FIG. 2-6B is a front view of an optical attenuator of FIG. 2-6A;

FIG. 2-7 is a perspective view of an optical functional module accordingto a fifth embodiment of the second invention;

FIG. 2-8 is a perspective view showing primary structural members of theoptical functional module of FIG. 2-7;

FIG. 2-9 is a perspective view showing an optical functional componentsandwiched between a cable holding member of FIG. 2-8;

FIG. 2-10 is a perspective view of a power supply electrode according toa sixth embodiment of the second invention;

FIG. 2-11 is a perspective view of a power supply electrode according toa seventh embodiment of the second invention; and

FIG. 2-12 is a perspective view showing a conventional opticalfunctional module.

(Third Invention)

FIG. 3-1 is a disassembled perspective view showing a schematicconfiguration of an optical switch according to a first embodiment ofthe third invention;

FIG. 3-2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrowed line II-II ofFIG. 3-1;

FIG. 3-3 is a side view containing an opening of a receptacle in whichaccommodated is a reflecting member shown in FIG. 3-1;

FIG. 3-4 is an enlarged perspective view of the reflecting member shownin FIG. 3-2 and FIG. 3-3.

FIG. 3-5A is a view showing a reflecting portion of the reflectingmember shown in FIG. 3-4 to illustrate optical path switching;

FIG. 3-5B is another view showing a reflecting portion of the reflectingmember shown in FIG. 3-4 to illustrate optical path switching;

FIG. 3-6 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of areflecting member according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 3-7 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of areflecting portion of a reflecting member according to a thirdembodiment; and

FIG. 3-8 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of areflecting portion of a reflecting member according to a fourthembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(First Invention)

Lens-exchange type collimators and functional optical modules of thefirst invention will be described below with reference to accompanyingdrawings.

In addition, following embodiments are illustrative only and are notintended to limit the scope of the first invention. Accordingly, it willbe understood that various modifications including each or all theelements may be made by those skilled in the art and that the scope ofthe first invention includes such modifications.

FIGS. 1-A and 1-B are perspective views each showing a configuration ofa collimator 1 comprised of a lens-exchange type collimator lens unit 7and a ferrule 4 according to one embodiment of the first invention. Thecollimator 1 is comprised of an optical fiber tape conductor(hereinafter referred to as an optical fiber) 2, and the ferrule 4 thatholds the optical fiber 2. The collimator 1 is provided with, forexample, four collimator lenses 5, the lens unit 7 that holds thecollimator lenses 5, and integrating means that integrally combines theferrule 4 and lens unit 7.

The integrating means is provided in the ferrule 4, and is comprised ofguide pins 9 that pass through respective through holes 8 of the lensunit 7. The ferrule 4 is formed of a block that fixes and holds theoptical fibers and is made of plastic, ceramic, or the like.

The ferrule 4 is produced based on an MT (Mechanically Transferable)connector with a high position precision of sub-micron order (±0.1 μm).FIG. 1-1A shows a case that four optical fibers 10 are disposed inparallel to one another, but the first invention is not limited to sucha case, and is applicable to other cases that a single optical fiber 10is held and that a plurality of optical fibers 10 are disposed at aplurality of stages, for example. Further, the ferrule 4 may be producedbased on MPO provided with a housing and clip, MT-RJ connector or thelike.

FIGS. 1-1A and 1-1B show a separate type allowing the lens unit 7 to beexchanged. However, it may be possible to produce integrally the lensunit 7 with the ferrule 4 in advance, or to bond the unit 7 and ferrule4 with an adhesive to use.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2A and 1-2B, a first ferrule and a second ferruleeach composing the above-mentioned collimator 1 can be combined.

FIGS. 1-2A and 1-2B are perspective views showing a configuration of afunctional optical module 11 according to one embodiment of the firstinvention. The functional optical module 11 uses two lens-exchange typecollimators 1 according to the one embodiment of the first inventionshown in FIGS. 1-1A and 1-1B.

The functional optical module 11 is comprised of ferrules 4-1 and 4-2each the same as the ferrule 4 in FIGS. 1-1A and 1-1B, lens units 7-1and 7-2 each the same as the lens unit 7 in FIGS. 1-1A and 1-B, anoptical functional component 12 that is capable of coming into contactwith the lens units 7-1 and 7-2 and that inputs a predetermined effectexerted light beam to each of collimator lenses 5 of the lens units 7-1or 7-2, and integrating means that integrally combines the ferrule 4-1,lens unit 7-1, optical functional component 12, lens unit 7-2 andferrule 4-2 and aligns these parts.

In addition, the lens unit 7-2 is not needed always, and can be omittedin some cases.

The integrating means is provided in the ferrule 4-1, and is composed ofguide pins 9 that pass through respective through holes 8 provided inthe lens unit 7-1 and optical functional component 12 and are insertedinto respective holes 13 provided in the ferrule 4-2. This embodimentillustrates the case that the integrating means is further provided withclip members 14 in addition to the guide pins 9. The clip members 14apply pressures to each of ferrules 4-1 and 4-2, and thereby secure theferrule 4-1, lens unit 7-1, optical functional component 12, lens unit7-2, and ferrule 4-2 to respective positions. It is thereby possible tomake the alignment and condition held by the guide pins 9 more reliable.

FIG. 1-2B is a perspective view showing a combined state in whichferrule 4-1, lens unit 7-1, optical functional component 12, lens unit7-2 and ferrule 4-2 are integrally combined by the integrating means,i.e., a state in which the optical functional component 12 is sandwichedbetween two lens-exchange type collimators.

This embodiment illustrates the case that the optical functionalcomponent 12 is, for example, a variable optical attenuator 12 capableof changing optical attenuation arbitrarily. The variable opticalattenuator 12 is manufactured using the MEMS (Micro-Elector MechanismSystem) technique, and its thickness is determined by a focal length ofa collimator lens. An operation length of the collimator lens 5 (FIGS.1-1A and 1-1B) is, for example, 500 μm. A length between the lens units7-1 and 7-2, such that the lens units 7-1 and 7-2 having the collimatorlenses are capable of transmitting and receiving light beams with thetheoretically smallest loss, is about 1 mm that is twice the operationlength of the collimator lens. Accordingly, the thickness of thevariable optical attenuator 12 is 1 mm.

The collimator lens 5 has a diffractive index with an approximatelysquare distribution, and adjusts an output light beam to be a collimatedlight beam with a spread degree of within ±2°. By thus obtaining acollimated light beam, it is possible to dispose a plurality oflens-exchange type collimators 1 opposed to one another, and to suppressan optical loss of a light beam transmitted and received between thecollimators 1 to a minimum.

Further, anti-reflection coating can be applied on one side or bothsides of the collimator lens 5 to prevent an optical loss caused byreflection, and it is thereby possible to prevent the above-mentionedoptical loss with more reliability.

In FIGS. 1-1A and 1-B, the collimator lens 5 may be a GI fiber with apredetermined length, but is not limited to such a fiber.

The lens unit 7 is obtained by embedding and fixing lenses atpredetermined intervals into, for example, a synthetic resin, has a highposition precision of sub-micron order as well as the ferrule 4, andholds the collimator lenses 5 at positions adjusted precisely in orderto transmit and receive light beams to/from optical fibers 10 with theminimum optical loss. Therefore, a distance between the position of thelens and a front end of the optical fiber conductor is adjusted whennecessary.

Positions of the through holes 8 and guide pins 9 are precisely adjustedso as to hold optimal positions of the collimator lenses 5 and opticalfibers 10. Then, as shown in FIG. 1-2B, the guide pins 9 pass throughrespective through holes 8, thereby the ferrule 4 and lens unit 7 areintegrally combined, and thus the collimator lenses 5 and optical fibers10 are aligned precisely and held in optimal positions assuredly.

Further, the guide pings 9 have a length adequate to integrally combinean optical functional component not shown with through holes the same asthrough holes 8, another lens unit and another ferrule. Conventionally,in using optical functional components, since optical properties of thecomponents are different with their types, it is necessary to exchange acollimator lens to one with the same property as that of a usedcomponent, which puts an enormous load on those skilled in the art, asdescribed previously.

On the contrary, the lens-exchange type collimator 1 of the firstinvention is, as described above, capable of attaching and detaching thelens unit and aligning the lens unit (collimator lens) and ferrule(optical fiber) accurately using the through holes and guide pins.Accordingly, in the lens-exchange type collimator 1 of the firstinvention, a plurality of lens units having respective lenses withdifferent optical properties is prepared and exchanged with one another,whereby it is possible to exchange lenses to those corresponding tovarious optical functional components readily and promptly, and to solvethe above-mentioned problem.

FIG. 1-3A is a schematic view of the variable optical attenuator 12, andFIG. 1-3B is an enlarged view of the variable optical attenuator 12illustrated in FIG. 1-3A. The variable optical attenuator 12 is providedwith, for example, comb-shaped actuator 15 (15-1 and 15-2), drivingspring 16 and light shield plate 17 which are bonded to one another. Thecomb-shaped actuator 15 (15-1 and 15-2) is driven by static electricity,uses repulsion against the driving spring 16 to move the light shieldplate 17, varies a light shield area, and thereby varies the attenuationof a light beam 103.

The variable optical attenuator 12 is precisely adjusted in size,position of the light shield plate 17 or the like so as to exertattenuating effects accurately on the light beam 103 communicatedbetween the lens units 7-1 and 7-2 shown in FIGS. 1-1B. In addition, itmay be possible to form a front end portion of the light shield plate 17into the shape of an arbitrary polygon, not shown but for example, theinverse shape of a V, instead of the shape of a rectangle. Such a shapedecreases the polarization dependency of optical attenuation.

FIG. 1-4 shows an optical functional component 70 using liquid crystalfilms 74 that adjust the intensity of light. Each of the liquid crystalfilms is placed on one of four optical paths of light beam, and applyinga current to each liquid crystal film through wiring 75 adjusts theintensity of each light beam. A thickness of the liquid crystal film isabout 600 μm. Since the refractive index of the liquid crystal film isnot less than 1 (not less than the air), a theoretical opposite lengthof collimators is about 1 mm. However, since the refractive index ishigh, the opposite length is decreased corresponding to the refractiveindex, and corresponding to the decreased length, the thickness is madethinner.

For example, when an opposite length of lens units with collimatorfunctions is about 1 mm in the air, if the optical path is filled with amedium with a refractive index of 2, the theoretical opposite length isabout 500 μm. The liquid crystal film is connected to the electricwiring 75, and, for example, a voltage is controlled to vary atransmittance in the liquid crystal, whereby the intensity of light canbe adjusted.

Further, it may be possible to use, as a lens unit used in theembodiment previously mentioned, a condenser type with a spot size ofabout 20 μm and theoretical opposite length of 700 μm, and as the meansfor adjusting the intensity of light, a medium varying its refractiveindex with current. Such a medium includes a semiconductor such as GaAsor InP doped glass made of primarily silica. Also available is a mediumwith LiTaO₃, LiNbO₃, or a double hetero structure such as GaInAsP/InP orGaAlAs/GaAs.

A thickness of the means for adjusting the intensity of light is about500 μm in the optical axis. The means for adjusting the intensity oflight of this case varies the refractive index, thereby substantiallyvaries an optical path length, and makes an axis deviation amountvariable in the optical axis direction in the collimator. In otherwords, since varying the refractive index has an effect equal to varyingan opposite length of collimators, the adjustment of intensity of lightis implemented by varying the refractive index.

Further, the reason for using a condenser type collimator is that thetolerance on the axis deviation in the axis direction is smaller in thecondenser type than in the parallel type. Therefore, in the axisdeviation of about ±1000 μm, while the parallel type has a loss of about0.2 dB, the condenser type has a large loss of about 20 dB and thusenables a large variation in the intensity of light due to a smallvariation in its refractive index.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1-5, a filter 80 using dielectricmulti-layer films 84 is inserted as an optical functional componentbetween the lens units previously mentioned. Each of the dielectricmultilayer films is provided on one of four optical paths of light beam,and varies its film structure to cause light with a predeterminedwavelength to transmit through the film. As the dielectric multilayerfilm, for example, a lamination of SiO₂ and Ta₂O₅ with a thickness ofabout 800 μm is used. Since the refractive index of the dielectricmultilayer film is not less than 1 (not less than the air), thetheoretical opposite length of collimators is about 1 μmm, but isdecreased corresponding to the high refractive index. Therefore,corresponding to the deceased length, the thickness is made thinner.

FIG. 1-6 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a functionaloptical module 18 according to another embodiment of the first inventionwhere all the members are integrally combined. The functional opticalmodule 18 is obtained by modifying the integrating means of thefunctional optical module 11 according to the one embodiment of thefirst invention shown in FIG. 1-2A.

The integrating means of the functional optical module 11 in FIG. 1-2Ahas a configuration where the guide pins 9 are inserted into respectivethrough holes 13 provided in the ferrule 4-2. In contrast thereto, theintegrating means of the functional optical module 18 is provided withguide pins 9 passing through respective through holes 8 provided in aferrule 4-3 instead of the holes 13 in FIG. 1-2A, and cap-shapedsecuring members 19 that secure passing guide pins 9 and thereby securethe whole.

Further, it may be possible to provide the guide pins 9 with screwthreads while providing internal threads corresponding to the screwthreads on inner surfaces of the securing members 19, whereby it ispossible to engage the guide pins and securing members more strongly.

In addition, as mentioned previously, the ferrule 4-3 of the functionaloptical module 18 according to this embodiment is provided with throughholes 8, while the ferrule 4-1 of the functional optical module 11 inFIG. 1-2A is provided with holes 13. Therefore, different referencenumerals are assigned to distinguish between the ferrules, but thedifference between the ferrules is only the aforementioned respect, andthe ferrules have the same functions and structures except this respect.

Further, the functional optical module 18 has the same members infunction, structure or the like as those in the functional opticalmodule 11 in FIGS. 1-2A and 1-2B except the ferrule 4-3.

FIG. 1-7 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a functionaloptical module 20 according to another embodiment of the first inventionwhere all the members are integrally combined. The functional opticalmodule 20 is obtained by modifying the integrating means of thefunctional optical module 11 according to the one embodiment of thefirst invention shown in FIGS. 1-2A and 1-2B.

The integrating means of the functional optical module 20 is providedwith a latch member 21 provided in a ferrule 4-4 instead of the clipmember 14. The latch member 21 engages in an engaging portion 22 havinga groove in its inside provided in the ferrule 4-5, and thereby bringsthe ferrule 4-4, lens unit 7-1, optical functional component 12, lensunit 7-2 and ferrule 4-5 into intimate contact with one another.

The ferrule 4-4 is the same in function, structure or the like as theferrule 4-1 in FIGS. 1-2A and 1-2B except the latch member 21 beingprovided, while the ferrule 4-5 is the same in function, structure orthe like as the ferrule 4-2 in FIGS. 1-2A and 1-2B except the engagingportion 22 being provided. Further, the functional optical module 20 hasthe same members in function, structure or the like as those in thefunctional optical module 11 in FIGS. 1-1A and 1-1B except the ferrules4-4 and 4-5.

While in the functional optical module 20 in FIG. 1-7 the latch member21 is provided in the ferrule 4-4 and the engaging portion 22 isprovided in the ferrule 4-5, it may be possible to provide the latchmember 21 in the ferrule 4-5, and the engaging portion 22 in the ferrule4-4.

Further, the latch member 21 and engaging portion 22 according to thisembodiment may be provided in the functional optical module 11 in FIGS.1-2A and 1-2B or the functional optical module 18 in FIG. 1-4.

FIG. 1-8A is a perspective view showing a configuration of a functionaloptical module 23 according to another embodiment of the firstinvention, and FIG. 1-8B is a perspective view showing integrallycombined all the members of FIG. 1-8A.

The functional optical module 23 is provided with a single lens-exchangetype collimator 1, while the functional optical modules according to theother embodiments of the first invention described above are providedwith two lens-exchange type collimators 1.

The functional optical module 23 is provided with an optical fiberportion composed of a ferrule 4-6, a lens unit composed of a lens unit7-3, an optical functional component 24 that is capable of coming intocontact with the lens unit 7-3 and inputs a predetermined effect exertedlight beam to collimator lenses 5 of the lens unit 7-3, and theintegrating means that integrally combines and aligns the ferrule 4-6,lens unit 7-3 and optical functional component 24.

The ferrule 4-6 is modified from the ferrule 4-4 in FIGS. 1-1A and 1-1B,holds, for example, sixty optical fibers 10 arranged in 5 fibers high by12 fibers wide, and is the same in structure, function or the like asthe ferrule 4 except the number of optical fibers 10.

The lens unit 7-3 holds, for example, sixty collimator lenses 5 arrangedin 5 lenses high by 12 lenses wide, and is the same in structure,function or the like as the lens unit 7 except the number of collimatorlenses 5 previously mentioned.

The integrating means is provided in the ferrule 4-6, and is composed ofguide pins 9 that pass through respective through holes 8 provided inthe lens unit 7-3 are that inserted into respective holes 13 provided inthe optical functional component 24.

This embodiment illustrates the case that the integrating means isfurther provided with clip members 25 in addition to the guide pins 9.The clip members 25 apply pressures to each of the ferrule 4-6 andoptical functional component 24, and thereby bring the ferrule 4-6, lensunit 7-3, and optical functional component 24 into intimate contact withone another. It is thereby possible to make the alignment and conditionheld by the guide pins 9 more reliable.

This embodiment illustrates the case that the optical functionalcomponent 24 is a surface-emitting laser device 24 with a plurality oftwo-dimensionally arranged laser-emitting devices.

FIG. 1-9A is a perspective view showing a configuration of thesurface-emitting laser device 24. FIG. 1-9B is an enlarged front view ofa main body 26 of the device of FIG. 1-9A. The surface-emitting laserdevice 24 is provided with the main body 26 of the device that executeslaser oscillation and laser radiation and a spacer 27. The main body 26of the device has on its front surface, for example, sixtylaser-emitting devices 28 composed of a laminate thin film ofsemiconductor such as GaAs, and the laser-emitting devices 28 arearranged in the same way as in the collimator lenses 5 or optical fibers10, for example, in 5 devices high by 12 devices wide.

The spacer 27 is positioned between the main body 26 of the device andlens unit 7-3 (FIG. 1-8A), provides a space in which a laser beampropagates when the laser-emitting elements 28 emit laser beams to thelens unit 7-3, is provided with through holes 8 through which guidepings pass, and thus is allowed to be attached and detached readily andpromptly. A thickness of the spacer 27 is determined by opticalproperties of laser beam, and, for example, is 250 μm.

Laser devices with two-dimensionally arranged laser-emitting deviceshave been produced. However, since it is difficult to obtain opticalcoupling of a collimator lens and optical fiber with a low loss,arranging laser-emitting devices two-dimensionally has not beenimplemented.

On the contrary, in the surface-emitting laser device 24 of thisembodiment, a plurality of spacers with different thickness are preparedand exchanged corresponding to laser optical properties, whereby it ispossible to overcome the above-mentioned matter. In addition thereto, itis possible to attach and detach the spacer 27 readily and promptly asdescribed above, and such conveniences and the simplified exchange ofthe lens-exchange type collimator 1 as described previously implementfurther improvements in operation efficiency.

In the surface-emitting laser device 24 as described above, the sizeadjustment and alignment of the main body 26 of the device and spacer 27is precisely adjusted. Further, the size adjustment and alignment of thelaser device 24, collimator lenses 5 and lens unit 7-3 is preciselyadjusted in order that laser beams are accurately input to the lens unit7-3 with collimator functions.

In addition, this embodiment illustrates the case that the main body 26of the device and spacer 27 are different members, but is not limited tosuch a case; it may be possible to construct both members integrally.

As a configuration of a functional optical module 29 according toanother embodiment of the present invention, the module 29 may have theconfiguration where through holes 8 are provided in the surface-emittinglaser device 26, and guide pins 9 passing through respective throughholes 8 are secured by cap-shaped securing members 19, and in this case,the surface-emitting laser device 26 has the same function,configuration or the like as that shown in FIG. 1-6 except the throughholes 8 being provided.

Further, it may be possible to provide the guide pins 9 with screwthreads while providing internal threads corresponding to the screwthreads on the securing members 19, whereby it is possible to engage theguide pins and securing members more strongly.

FIG. 1-10A is a perspective view showing a configuration of a functionaloptical module 30 according to another embodiment of the firstinvention, and FIG. 1-10B is a perspective view showing integrallycombined all the members of FIG. 1-10A.

The functional optional module 30 is provided with a latch structure 31and 32 as the integrating means as shown in FIG. 1-7 and as theadjusting means.

In the functional optical module 30, a latch member 31 is provided inthe ferrule 4-7 instead of the clip member 14 shown in FIG. 1-6, anengaging portion 32 with a groove therein is provided in asurfaced-emitting laser device 24-2, and the latch member 31 engages inthe engaging portion 32, thereby bringing the ferrule 4-7, lens unit 7-3and surface-emitting 24-2 into intimate contact with one another.

In addition, the ferrule 4-7 is the same in function, configuration orthe like as the ferrule 4-6 except the latch member 31 being provided.The surface-emitting laser device 24-2 is the same in function,configuration or the like as the surface-emitting device 24 in FIGS.1-8A and 1-8B except the engaging member 32 being provided. Further, theother members are the same in function, configuration or the like asthose of the functional optical module 29 shown in FIGS. 1-8A and 1-8B.

In the optical functional component 30, the latch member 31 is providedin the ferrule 4-7, while the engaging portion 32 is provided in thesurface-emitting laser device 24-2. Further, it may be possible toprovide the latch member 31 in the surface-emitting laser device 24-2,while providing the engaging portion 32 in the ferrule 4-7.

In addition, the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate the case ofusing one or two collimators with lenses integrally combined with aferrule or lens-exchange type collimators of a functional opticalmodule. However, the first invention is not limited to the above case,and is applicable to cases of using three or more lens-exchangecollimators.

As described above, in the first invention, a collimator integrallycombined with a ferrule, or a lens-exchange type of collimator isprovided with an optical fiber portion composed of the ferrule thatholds optical fibers, collimator lenses, a lens unit that holds thecollimator lenses, and the integrating means that integrally combinesand aligns these members, and thus the ferrule and lens unit areconstructed to be detachable freely.

Further, a functional optical module is provided with theabove-mentioned lens-exchange type collimator and an optical functionalcomponent that is integrally combined accurately with the lens-exchangetype collimator, and thus the optical functional component is alsoconstructed to be detachable.

Furthermore, since optical fibers of the optical fiber portion are heldby the ferrule member, there is no risk of breakage. Moreover, since aplurality of optical fibers is arranged in parallel in a single ferrule,miniaturization of the functional optical module is also achieved.

According to the forgoing, it is made possible to provide alens-exchange type collimator enabling not only a lens but also anoptical functional component to be exchanged promptly and readily andbeing miniaturized and excellent in durability, and a miniaturizedfunctional optical module provided with the lens-exchange typecollimator.

(Second Invention)

Power supply devices each for an optical functional component andoptical functional modules of the second invention will be describedbelow with reference to accompanying drawings.

In addition, following embodiments are illustrative only and are notintended to limit the scope of the second invention. Accordingly, itwill be understood that various modifications including each or all theelements may be made by those skilled in the art and that the scope ofthe second invention includes such modifications.

(First Embodiment)

FIG. 2-1 is a perspective view of an optical functional module 100-1provided with a power supply device for an optical functional componentaccording to the first embodiment of the second invention

The optical functional module 100-1 is provided with a cable holdingmember 102-1 that is secured to a hosing 106-1 and holds an opticalfiber 101, an optical functional component 105-1 that is provided on itssurface with a reception electrode and exerts a predetermined effect onlight, a power supply electrode that is secured to the housing 106-1,holds tight the reception electrode on its side faces, thereby holds theoptical functional component 105-1, and supplies power to the receptionelectrode, and a protecting member 108 that surrounds the power supplyelectrode, and the reception electrode is connected to an outer powersupply not shown.

The power supply device for an optical functional component of thesecond invention is composed of the reception electrode, power supplyelectrode and protecting member 108 among the above-mentioned members.In addition, in FIG. 2-1, the reception electrode and power supplyelectrode are located on an inner face of the protecting member 108,therefore not shown, and will be described specifically with referenceto FIGS. 2-2 and 2-3.

The cable holding member 102-1 is provided with a collimator lens 103,and thus functions as a collimator.

This embodiment illustrates a case that the optical functional component105-1 (hereinafter referred to as a photodiode 105-1) is a photodiodethat converts light output from the cable holding member 102-1 to anelectric signal.

FIG. 2-2A is an enlarged perspective view of the power supply electrode107-1 and the protecting member 108, and FIG. 2-2B is an enlargedcross-sectional view of the power supply electrode 107-1 and theprotecting member 108.

The power supply electrode 107-1 is comprised of two bent metallicmembers (107-1 a and 107-1 b), sandwiches the reception electrode 104provided on the surface of the photodiode 105-1 by the metallic members107-1 a and 107-b, and thereby holds the photodiode 105-1. FIG. 2-3illustrates the power supply electrode 107-1 and photodiode 105-1 heldby the electrode 107-1.

The metallic members 107-1 a and 107-1 b assuredly come into intimatecontact with the reception electrode 104 by their bent structure andelasticity of metal, and so hold the photodiode 105-1 assuredly andsupply power with no loss and with reliability.

Further, the bent structure and elasticity of metal allows thephotodiode 105-1 to be detached and/or exchanged to another opticalfunctional component with ease.

The protecting member 108 protects the reception electrode 104 and powersupply electrode 107-1, further protects electric leakage from thereception electrode 104 from providing damage to other members, and ismade of an insulating material such as a polymer material.

While this embodiment illustrates the case that a box-shaped member isused as the protecting member 108, it may be also possible to use aninsulating film.

Thus, the wiring connecting the power supply electrode and receptionelectrode is eliminated and an optical functional component is supportedby the power supply electrode, whereby it is possible to attach/detachthe optical functional component freely, and to easily exchange thephotodiode 105-1 as illustrated in this embodiment to an opticalfunctional component with a different function such as an opticalattenuator.

Further, the risk is eliminated that the optical functional componentsustains damage due to heat and vibration caused by breaking or bondingof the wiring.

Furthermore, part of the housing is made open and closed, and it isthereby possible to omit a process for opening the housing in exchangingoptical functional components, and to perform the exchange promptly.

In all the optical modules including conventional cases as previouslydescried, when the alignment of the optical functional component andcable holding member (collimator) is not improper, there is a case thatthe optical functional component cannot exhibit predeterminedperformance due to an optical loss, for example.

Therefore, in the optical functional module of the second invention, thealignment of the power supply electrode 107-1 and cable holding member102-1 is performed precisely so that the photodiode 105-1 exerts aneffect accurately on a light beam output from the cable holding member102-1, and also on photodiode 105-1 and other optical functionalcomponents, independently of types, adjustment in size or the like isperformed precisely.

(Second Embodiment)

FIG. 2-4 is a perspective view of an optical functional module 100-2according to the second embodiment of the second invention.

The optical functional module 100-2 uses a surface-emittingsemiconductor laser board (hereinafter referred to as a semiconductorlaser board 105-2) as an optical functional component 105-2, has a cableholding member 102-2 for laser condenser being attached to a housing106-2 via a connector receptacle 109, and further has the same membersin function, configuration or the like as those of the opticalfunctional module 100-1 in FIG. 2-1 except the foregoing.

When the semiconductor laser board 105-2 is used, some type of cableholding member that receives laser beams may not obtain a desiredcoupling efficiency due to, for example, a difference in beam shapebetween a collimator lens provided in the cable holding member andlaser. Therefore, it is required to exchange such a type of member to acable holding member 102-2 for laser condenser which has a collimatorlens suitable for the laser beam shape, and minimizes an optical loss byadjusting a distance between a front end of the optical fiber andcollimator lens corresponding to a focal length of the lens.

This process needs to be performed whenever the optical functionalcomponent is exchanged to a different type of component, and so requireseasy operation. Then, the cable holding member 102-2 is attached to thehousing 106 via the connector receptacle 109.

As the cable receptacle 109, a receptacle for a FC connector is used,and the cable holding member 102-2 is equipped on its front end with aFC connector 110 corresponding to the receptacle.

(Third Embodiment)

FIG. 2-5 is a perspective view of an optical functional module 100-3according to the third embodiment of the second invention.

The optical functional module 100-3 is modified from the opticalfunctional module 100-1 in FIG. 2-1, and has an array with cable holdingmembers 102-1 and photodiodes 105-1 in a housing 106-3. This embodimentillustrates a case of four cable holding members 102-1 and fourphotodiodes 105-1 both spaced at intervals of 1 cm, but the secondinvention is not limited to the above case. A configuration may bepossible which has an array with optical functional components withdifferent functions such as the cable holding member 102-2 andsemiconductor laser board 105-2 shown in FIG. 2-4.

(Fourth Embodiment)

FIG. 2-6A is a perspective view of an optical functional module 100-4according to the fourth embodiment of the second invention.

The optical functional module 100-4 is modified from the opticalfunctional module 100-1 in FIG. 2-1, and is provided with a housing106-4, two cable holding members 102-1 fixed at positions opposed toeach other, and an optical attenuator 105-3 as an optical functionalcomponent.

FIG. 2-6B is a front view of the optical attenuator 105-3.

The optical attenuator 105-3 is manufactured using the MEMS (MicroElectro Mechanical System) technique, moves a shield plate to vary ashield area of light, and thereby attenuates the light.

The optical attenuator 105-3 is provided with a shield plate 116,comb-shaped actuators 117 and driving springs 118 which are coupled toone another.

The comb-shaped actuators 117 are driven by static electricity, userepulsion against the driving springs to move the shield plate 116, andthus attenuate the light 119.

(Fifth Embodiment)

FIG. 2-7 is a perspective view of an optical functional module 100-5according to the fifth embodiment of the second invention.

The optical functional module 100-5 is comprised of an opticalfunctional component 105-4, a power supply device for the opticalfunctional component composed of the reception electrode 104, powersupply electrode 107-1 and protecting member 108 the same as shown inFIGS. 2-1 to 2-6, two cable holding members 102-3 and a clip 115.

FIG. 2-8 is a perspective view showing primary structural members of theoptical functional module 100-5 of FIG. 2-7.

This embodiment illustrates a case that the optical functional component105-4 is an optical attenuator (hereinafter, referred to as opticalattenuator 105-4) provided with a shield plate that shields lightcommunicated between the two cable holding members 102-3.

Each of the cable holding members 102-3 holds an optical cable tapeconductor 111 having a plurality of optical fibers, and is provided withcollimator lenses. One of the members 102-3 has guide pins 112, whilethe other one of the members 102-3 has insertion holes 113 correspondingto the guide pings 112.

In addition, cable holding members may be manufactured based on acoexisting connector, and the cable holding members 102-3 in thisembodiment are manufactured based on an MT (Mechanically Transferable)connector.

Further, this embodiment illustrates a case that the optical functionalcomponent 105-4 is an optical attenuator (hereinafter, referred to asoptical attenuator 105-4) provided with a shield plate that shieldslight communicated between the two cable holding members 102-3.

The optical attenuator 105-4 is manufactured using the MEMS technique aswell as the optical attenuator 105-3 in FIG. 206, and is provided withthrough holes 114 through which the guide pins 112 pass. Thus, theshield plate is aligned precisely so as to exert an effect accurately onthe light communicated between the two cable holding members 102-3.

As shown in FIG. 9, the two cable holding members 102-3 sandwich theoptical attenuator 105-4, and further the guide pins 112 engage inthrough holes 114 and insertion holes 113, whereby the cable holdingmembers 102-3 and optical functional component 105-4 are held incondition such that transmission/reception and shield of light isaccurately performed, and the effect of the clip 115 further enhancessuch a condition.

At this point, the reception electrodes 104 provided on the surface ofthe optical functional component 1054 stick out from the cable holdingmember 102 to the outside, are connected to the power supply electrode107-1 in FIGS. 2-1 to 2-6, and thus in condition as shown in FIG. 2-7.

This embodiment illustrates the case that the optical functionalcomponent is an optical attenuator. However, by providing through holesand causing a reception electrode to stick out to the outside, it ispossible to use various types of optical functional components, notlimiting to the optical attenuator.

Further, an existing connector based on which a cable holding means ismanufactured is not limited to an MT connector, and it may be possibleto use an MPO connector in which a securing clip is incorporated andMT-RJ connector.

FIG. 2-10 is a perspective view of a power supply electrode 107-2according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2-1 to 2-5 illustrate the case that the power supply electrode107-1 is comprised of two bent metallic members, but the secondinvention is not limited to such a case. Also in the case where a powersupply electrode is comprised of a single metallic member as the powersupply electrode 107-2 in this embodiment, it is possible to supplypower to an optical functional component with reliability and exchangethe optical functional component with ease as in the power supplyelectrode 107-1.

FIG. 2-11 is a perspective view of a power supply electrode 107-3according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

In the power supply electrodes 107-1 shown in FIGS. 2-1 to 2-5 and 107-2shown in FIG. 2-10, as described previously, the bent structure and theelasticity of metal enables reliable power supply to an opticalfunctional component and easy attaching/detaching of the opticalfunctional component. Meanwhile, the power supply electrode 107-3 isprovided with two metallic members (107-3 a and 107-3 b) and acontacting means that brings the metallic members into intimate contactwith the reception electrode, and thus is capable of exerting the sameeffects as those of the power supply electrodes 107-1 and 107-2.

In this embodiment a spring 120 is used as the contacting means. In thisway, the metallic members 107-3 a and 107-3 b are open and closed in thedirection of an arrow A.

The power supply electrode 107-3 is coupled to a housing or protectingmember using a coupling member not shown.

Further, using other materials such as a polymer material as thecontacting means is capable of obtaining the same effect as the spring120.

Furthermore, in order to ensure safety when a user exchanges opticalfunctional components, portions with which the user comes into contactby hand can be converted with an insulating material.

In addition, in all the embodiments of the second invention, the cableholding means is provided with a collimator lens. Meanwhile, dependingon the types of optical functional components, it is possible to exertan effect on light output from an optical cable without using thecollimator lens, and therefore, it is possible to eliminate a collimatorlens from the cable holding means.

Further, with respect to the reception electrode, while the aboveembodiments illustrate the case that the structural member is made ofmetal, a configuration may be possible in which a structural member ismade of an insulating material and is provided with an electrodeterminal on its surface. In this way, it is possible to use a singlemember as a plurality of electrodes and to supply power to a device withmore complicated mechanisms.

As described above, in the second invention, a power supply device foran optical functional component is provided which has a receptionelectrode provided on a surface of the optical functional component, apower supply electrode that holds tight the reception electrode on itsside faces, thereby maintains the optical functional componentdetachably at a position that enables the optical functional componentto function accurately on light, and supplies power to the receptionelectrode, and a protecting member that surrounds the power supplyelectrode, thereby eliminating the need of boding and the risk of break.

According to the foregoing, it is made possible to provide a powersupply device for an optical functional component that supplies power tothe optical functional component with reliability for a long term andenables easy exchange of the optical functional component, and anoptical functional module having such a power supply device.

(Third Embodiment)

Embodiments of the third invention will be described below withreference to accompanying drawings.

FIG. 3-1 is a disassembled perspective view showing a schematicconfiguration of an optical switch 1 according to the first embodimentof the third invention, and FIG. 3-2 is a cross-sectional view takenalong the arrowed line II-II of the optical switch 1 shown in FIG. 3-1.

As shown in FIGS. 3-1 and 3-2, the optical switch 1 is provided with aconnector module 2 having integrally modularized connector andreceptacle.

The connector module 2 has a 4-conductor MT-RJ connector (hereinafter,simply referred to as a connector) 5 with incorporated four opticalfibers (4-coductor cable; two optical fibers (4 a 1 and 4 a 3) forlight-beam input and two optical fibers (4 a 2 and 4 a 4) for light-beamoutput) in a tape-shaped optical fiber 3, and a receptacle 7 having ahollow portion 6 in which the connector 5 engages detachably.

Examples used as each of the optical fibers 4 a 1 to 4 a 4 include asingle mode optical fiber and a GI (Graded Index) fiber with arefractive index of approximately square distribution.

The connector 5 is provided with an approximately rectangle ferrule 10.The tape-shaped optical fiber 3 is inserted into a side face of theferrule 10 through a boot portion 11, and a sheath of the fiber 3 isremoved on its one end surface at a downstream side in the insertiondirection in which the fiber 3 is inserted.

The four optical fibers (optical fiber conductors; 4 a 1 to 4 a 4) withthe sheath is removed are secured and supported in parallel to oneanother along the insertion direction through four conductor guide holesformed in advance in parallel at predetermined intervals in the ferrule10. End faces of the optical fibers 4 a 1 to 4 a 4 at the downstreamside in the insertion direction are integrally formed as a connectorterminal face 12 the same as one end face of the ferrule 10 at thedownstream side in the insertion direction.

Further, the ferrule 10 has guide pint holes 15 a 1 and 15 a 2 formed atopposite sides each spaced a predetermined interval from the conductorguide holes, along which the holes 15 a 1 and 15 a 2 are arranged. Theguide pins 15 a 1 and 15 a 2 are opened on the connector face 12.

Then, from one side face (for example, upper face in FIG. 3-1)perpendicular to the connector end face 12 of the ferrule 10, akey-shaped engaging portion 20 extends which is an RJ latch portion,i.e., which engages in the receptacle 7 to latch the connector 5 intothe receptacle 7. On a front end portion of the engaging portion 20 isformed a fastening hook 21 for the latch (engaging).

The hollow portion 6 of the receptacle 7 has an opening face 25 of sizecorresponding to the connector end face 12, and has a shapecorresponding to the ferrule 10. The ferrule 10 is inserted into thehollow portion 6 through the opening face 25, and thus engages in thehollow portion 5.

The receptacle 7 is provided with an engaging hole 26 formed, along thedirection in which the ferrule is inserted, from a position opposed tothe key-shaped engaging portion 20 in such a condition that theconnector 5 is placed in order for the connector end terminal 12 tooppose to the one end face 25 of the hollow portion 6.

The receptacle 7 is further provided with a fastening hole 27 to whichthe fastening hook 21 engages on its one side face (for example, upperface in FIG. 3-1) corresponding to the side in which another end portionof the engaging hole 26 and key-shaped engaging portion are formed.

The receptacle 7 is furthermore provided with an open/close shutter 28attached to part of a limb composing the opening face 25 to be pivotableabout the part of the limb. The open/close shutter 28 closes the openingface 25 at a normal time (any external force is not acted), whileopening the opening face 25 corresponding to insertion of the connector5.

The optical switch 1 is further provided with a lens connector 31 havingincorporated collimator lenses 30 a 1 to 30 a 4 corresponding to anumber (4) of optical fibers (fiber conductors) of the connector 5.

The lens connector 31 is provided with a plate-shaped lens housing 32having a cross section (in the direction perpendicular to the opticalfiber axis) with the same shape and area as those of the connector endface 12 of the ferrule 10 and of the opening face 25 of the receptacle7.

Each of the collimator lenses 30 a 1 to 30 a 4 has the same size as thatof a fiber diameter (conductor diameter). Anti-reflection coating isapplied to opposite end surfaces of each of collimator lenses 30 a 1 to30 a 4.

The collimator lenses 30 a 1 to 30 a 4 are held so as to oppose to andspaced a predetermined distance from optical fibers 4 a 1 to 4 a 4 whena one end face 33 of the lens housing 32 is opposed to and in intimatecontact with the connector end face 12 of the ferrule 10.

In the lens housing 32, at opposite ends each spaced a predetermineddistance from collimator lenses 30 a 1 and 30 a 4 at outer sides, guidepin holes 35 a 1 and 35 a 2 are disposed along the axis line of thecollimator lenses 30 a 1 and 30 a 4 to penetrate the housing 32.

As examples of properties of each of the collimator lenses 30 a 1 to 30a 4, the lenses are set at about 70 μm in spot diameter and about 1.0 mmin operation length.

The optical switch 1 is provided with a plate-shaped reflecting member40 that is accommodated in the hollow portion 6 of the receptacle 7 andattached to the bottom of the hollow portion 6. On the reflecting member40, guide pins 41 a 1 and 41 a 2 extend along the direction in which theconnector is inserted from positions opposite to the guide pin holes 35a 1 and 35 a 2 in such a condition that the lens connector 31 is placedso that the other end face 36 is opposed to the opening face 25 of thereceptacle 7, respectively.

The guide pin 41 a 1 or 41 a 2 has the same diameter as correspondingguide pin holes 15 a 1 and 15 a 2 or 35 a 1 and 35 a 2, respectively. Inother words, when the lens connector 31 engages in the hollow portion 6of the receptacle 7, the guide pings 41 a 1 and 41 a 2 pass through theguide pin holes 35 a 1 and 35 a 2 of the lens connector 31 and thussupport the lens connector 31.

Further when the connector 5 engages in the hollow portion 6 of thereceptacle 7 opposite to the lens connector 3, the guide pings 41 a 1and 41 a 2 pass through the guide pin holes 15 a 1 and 15 a 2 of theconnector 5 and thus support the connector 5.

As shown in FIGS. 3-2 to 3-4, the reflecting member 40 is provided witha reflecting portion 45 disposed at a position opposite to the opticalfibers 4 a 1 to 4 a 4 (optical paths of their light beams) when theconnector end face 12 of the ferrule 10 of the connector 5 engages inthe hollow portion 6 of the receptacle 7 via the lens connector 31.

As shown in FIG. 3-4, the reflecting portion 45 is provided with aV-shaped reflector 47 having a V-shaped groove 46 engraved along a planeopposite to the optical paths of the optical fibers 4 a 1 to 4 a 4 andin the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the opticalfibers are arranged, and a W-shaped reflector 49 having a W-shapedgroove 48 engraved along a plane opposite to the optical paths of theoptical fibers 4 a 1 to 4 a 4 and in the direction perpendicular thedirection in which the optical fibers are arranged.

The V-shaped reflector 47 and W-shaped reflector 49 have approximatelythe same plate thickness and width. The whole groove width of theW-shaped groove 48 (length between the most outer limbs on opposite endsof the W-shaped groove 48) of the W-shaped reflector 49 is the same asthe groove width of the V-shaped groove 46, and the V-shaped reflector47 and W-shaped reflector 49 are incorporated so that the V-shapedgroove 46 and W-shaped groove are connected continuously.

The V-shaped groove 46 has a first inner surface 46 a 1 opposite tooptical paths of the input optical fiber 4 a 1 and output optical path 4a 2, and a second inner surface 46 a 2 which is adjacent at a 90-degreeinterior angle to the first inner surface 46 a 1 along the direction theoptical fibers are arranged, and is opposite to optical paths of theinput optical fiber 4 a 3 and output optical fiber 4 a 4.

The boundary line between the first inner surface 46 a 1 and secondinner surface 46 a 2 is positioned on a center line extending throughthe center point of the other end face 36 of the lens connector 31 andthe center point of the connector face 12 of the connector 5, in thedirection perpendicular to the center line and to the direction in whichthe fibers are arranged. The first and second inner surfaces 46 a 1 and46 a 2 are line symmetry with respect to the boundary line.

The W-shaped groove 48 has third to sixth inner surfaces 48 a 1 to 48 a4 adjacent to one another at an interior degree of 90° sequentially. Thefirst inner surface 46 a 1 of the V-shaped groove 46 is connectedcontinuously with the third inner surface 48 a 1 of the W-shaped groove48, while the second inner surface 46 a 2 of the V-shaped groove 46 isconnected continuously with the sixth inner surface 48 a 4 of theW-shaped groove 48.

As shown in FIG. 3-4, the reflecting portion 40 is provided with rackgears 51 a 1 and 51 a 2 provided at opposite sides along the groovedirection of the incorporated V-shaped reflector 47 and W-shapedreflector 49.

The reflecting portion 40 is further provided with pinion gears 51 a 1and 51 a 2 that respectively engage the rack gears 50 a 1 and 50 a 2,and rotation driving portions 52 a 1 and 52 a 2 that are coupled to axesof the pinion gears 51 a 1 and 51 a 2 and drive the pinion gears 51 a 1and 51 a 2 to rotate corresponding to the supplied power, respectively.A moving mechanism 53 is composed of the rack gears 50 a 1 and 50 a 2,pinion gears 51 a 1 and 51 a 2 and rotation driving portions 52 a 1 and52 a 2.

Meanwhile, further provided are an electrode 55 that penetrates the sideface opposite to the opening face 25 of the receptacle 7 and a powersupply connected to the electrode 55, not shown. The power is suppliedto the rotation driving portions 52 a 1 and 52 a 2 through the electrode55.

Assembly and operation of the optical switch 1 according to thisembodiment will be described below.

As shown in FIGS. 3-1 to 3-3, in assembling the optical switch 1, thelens unit 31 is placed in order for the other end face 36 to oppose tothe opening face 25 of the receptacle 7. Then, the lens connector 31 isinserted into the hollow portion 6 through the opening face 25.

At this time, since the open/close shutter 28 closing the opening face25 is pivotable, the open/close shutter 28 is pressed by inserting thelens connector 31, and swings inside the hollow portion 6. As a result,the opening face 25 is opened, and thus inserting the lens connector 31makes the open/close shutter 28 self-opened.

The inserted lens connector 31 is engaged in a position that brings theconnector 31 into contact with the reflecting member 40 in the hollowportion 6. At this point, the guide pings 41 a 1 and 41 a 2 of thereflecting member 40 are inserted into the guide pin holes 35 a 1 and 35a 2 of the lens connector 31, and thus the lens connector 31 isintegrally attached to the reflecting member 40.

When the engaging and attaching of the lens connector 31 to thereceptacle 7 is finished, since the pressure of pressing the open/closeshutter 28 disappears, the open/close shutter is self-closed.

Next, the connector 5 is placed in order for the connector end face 12to oppose to the opening face 25 of the receptacle 7. Then, the ferrule10 of the connector 5 is inserted into the hollow portion 6 through theopening face 25. At this point, as in the lens connector 31, onlyinserting the connector 5 makes the open/close shutter 28 self-opened.

The ferrule 10 of the inserted connector 5 is engaged in the hollowportion 6, and the connector end face 12 is brought into face-contactwith the one end face 33 of the lens connector 31. At this point, theguide pings 41 a 1 and 41 a 2 of the reflecting member 40 are insertedinto the guide pin holes 15 a 1 and 15 a 2 of the connector 5, and thusthe ferrule 10 of connector 5 is integrally attached to the reflectingmember 40.

Corresponding to the insertion of the connector 5, the engaging portion20 of the connector 5 engages in the engaging hole 26 of the receptacle7. When the ferrule 10 is engaged in a position that brings theconnector end face 12 of the connector 5 into face-contact with the oneend face 33 of the lens connector 31, the fastening hook 21 of theengaging portion 20 is fastened to the fastening hole 27 of thereceptacle 7. As a result, the connector 5 is latched to the receptacle7.

In this way, it is possible to assemble the optical switch 1 composed ofintegrally combined the receptacle 7 having the reflecting member 40,and a fiber collimator composed of integrally combined the opticalfibers 4 a 1 to 4 a 4 of the connector 5 and collimator lenses 30 a 1 to30 a 4 of the lens connector 31.

Thus, in this embodiment, it is possible to engage the lens connector 31and connector 5 in the hollow portion 6 of the receptacle 7 with theirpositions accurately aligned by the guide pin holes 35 a 1, 35 a 2, 15 a1 and 15 a 2 and guide pins 41 a 1 and 41 a 2.

In other words, by using the guide pin holes 35 a 1, 35 a 2, 15 a 1 and15 a 2 and guide pins 41 a 1 and 41 a 2, it is possible to preciselymatch the fiber axes of the optical fibers 4 a 1 to 4 a 4 with thecenter axes of the collimator lenses 30 a 1 to 30 a 4 of the lensconnector 31, respectively.

Further, it is possible to cause the input optical fiber 4 a 1 andoutput optical fiber 4 a 2 to precisely oppose to the inner surface 46 a1 of the reflecting member 40. Furthermore, it is possible to cause theinput optical fiber 4 a 3 and output optical fiber 4 a 4 to preciselyoppose to the inner surface 46 a 1 of the reflecting member 40.

The optical switching (optical path switching) of thus assembled opticalswitch 1 will be described next.

When light beams c1 and c2 are input through the input optical fibers 4a 1 and 4 a 3 of the connector 5, the light beams c1 and c2 aretransformed into collimated light beams (parallel light beam) throughthe collimate lenses 30 a 1 and 30 a 2. The transformed light beams c1and c2 are respectively incident on the inner surfaces 46 a 1 and 46 a 2of the V-shaped groove 46 of the V-shaped reflector 47.

At this point, as shown in FIG. 3-5A, since the inner surfaces 46 a 1and 46 a 2 are adjacent to each other at a 90-degree angle, the lightbeam c1 incident on the inner surface 46 a 1 is reflected by the innersurface 46 a 1 and incident on the inner surface 46 a 2. The light beamc1 is further reflected by the inner 46 a 2 and output as a reflectedbeam r1 in parallel and opposite traveling direction to the light beamc1.

The output reflected beam r1 is condensed through the correspondingcollimator lens 30 a 4, and output through the output optical fiber 4 a4.

Similarly, the light beam c2 incident on the inner surface 46 a 2 isreflected by the inner surfaces 46 a 2 and 46 a 1 sequentially, andoutput as a reflected beam r2 in parallel and opposite travelingdirection to the light beam c2. The output reflected beam r2 is outputthrough the corresponding collimator lens 30 a 2, and further outputthrough the output optical fiber 4 a 2.

Next, as the optical switching (optical path switching) function of theoptical switch 1, a case will be described where output optical paths ofthe light beams c1 and c2 input through the input optical fibers 4 a 1and 4 a 3 are switched from the output optical fibers 4 a 4 and 4 a 2 tothe output optical fibers 4 a 2 to 4 a 4, respectively.

First, the power is supplied to the rotation driving portions 52 a 1 and52 a 2 of the moving mechanism 53 through the electrode 55, therebyoperates the rotation driving portions 52 a 1 and 52 a 2, and as shownin FIG. 3-5B, the pinion gears 51 a 1 and 51 a 2 are rotated indirections d1 and d2 shown by two-dot-dash line arrows in the figure,respectively.

As a result, the incorporated reflectors 47 and 49 provided with rackgears 50 a 1 and 50 a 2 engaging the pinion gears 51 a 1 and 51 a 2 movealong the boundary line direction (direction d3 shown by thetwo-dot-dash line arrow), according to the rotation of the pinion gears51 a 1 and 51 a 2. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3-5, the W-shaped groove 48 isplaced opposite to the input and output optical fibers 4 a 1 to 4 a 4.

In other words, the input optical fibers 4 a 1 and 4 a 3 are opposite tothe third inner surface 48 a 1 and fifth inner surface 48 a 3respectively, while the input optical fibers 4 a 2 and 4 a 4 areopposite to the fourth inner surface 48 a 2 and sixth inner surface 48 a4 respectively.

Under this condition, collimated light beams c1 and c2 are reflectivelyincident on inner surfaces 48 a 1 and 48 a 3 of the W-shaped groove ofthe W-shaped reflector 49.

At this point, as shown in FIG. 3-5B, since the inner surfaces 48 a 1and 48 a 2 are adjacent to each other at a 90-degree angle, the lightbeam c1 incident on the inner surface 48 a 1 is reflected by the innersurfaces 48 a 1 and 48 a 2 sequentially, and output as a reflected beamr1 in parallel and opposite traveling direction to the light beam c1.The output reflected beam r1 is condensed through the correspondingcollimator lens 30 a 2, and output through the output optical fiber 4 a2.

Similarly, the light beam c2 incident on the inner surface 48 a 3 isreflected by the inner surfaces 48 a 3 and 48 a 4 sequentially, andoutput as a reflected beam r2 in parallel and opposite travelingdirection to the light beam c2. The output reflected beam r2 is outputthrough the corresponding collimator lens 30 a 4, and further outputthrough the output optical fiber 4 a 4.

In other words, in this embodiment, the incorporated reflectors 47 and49 are moved using the moving mechanism 53, and grooves that reflectlight beams in the direction opposite to the input optical paths areswitched between the V-shaped groove 46 and W-shaped groove 48, wherebyit is possible to implement the 2×2 optical switching function (opticalpath switching function) with greatly ease.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the optical switch 1is composed using the ferrule 10 in advance incorporating and securingthe light-beam input optical fibers 4 a 1 and 4 a 3 and light-beamoutput optical fibers 4 a 2 and 4 a 4, and the connector 5 such as anMT-RJ connector that has the receptacle 7 capable of engaging theferrule 10.

Therefore, the lens connector 31 for condensing input and output lightbeams and the reflecting member 40 for reflecting the input light beamswhile switching the output paths are accommodated in the receptacle 7,and the ferrule 10 is engaged in the receptacle 7, whereby it ispossible to integrally combine the optical fibers 4 a 1 to 4 a 4, lensconnector 31 and reflecting member 40 readily.

Then, by inserting the guide pins 41 a 1 and 41 a 2 of the reflectingmember 40 respectively into the guide pin holes 15 a 1 and 15 a 2 formedin advance in the connector 5, and the guide pin holes 35 a 1 and 35 a 2formed in advance in the lens connector 31, it is possible to performthe alignment that precisely aligns in the same axes respectively thecenter axes of the optical fibers 4 a 1 to 4 a 4 of the connector 5,collimator lenses 30 a 1 to 30 a 4 of the lens connector 31 and theV-shaped groove 46 (or W-shaped groove 48) in the reflectors 47 and 46of the reflecting member 40.

Accordingly, without securing the optical fibers 4 a 1 to 4 a 4 usingV-shaped grooves, covers and so on, only by engaging the lens connector31 and ferrule 10 in the receptacle 7, the optical switch 1 can beprovided in which the connector 5, lens connector 31 and reflectingmember 40 are precisely aligned. Therefore, it is possible to eliminateor greatly reduce the need of complicated alignment in the assembly ofthe optical switch, and to simplify the assembly of the optical switch.

Further, according to this embodiment, the incident light beam isreflected using the reflecting member 40 with the V-shaped groove 46 andW-shaped groove 48, and is output in parallel and opposite direction tothe incident optical path. It is thereby possible to arrange the inputand output optical fibers 4 a 1 to 4 a 4 in parallel to one another in apredetermined direction.

In other words, as compared to a conventional optical switch in which,for example, input and output optical paths such as optical fiber arearranged in four directions around a mirror or the like, it is possibleto make the entire size greatly compact.

In particular, in a configuration where input and output optical pathssuch as optical fiber are arranged in four directions around a switch,it is required to reserve the area needed to cope with the fibers on acircuit board on which the switch module is mounted, resulting in adegraded efficiency in circuit board packaging.

On the contrary, according to this embodiment, since the light-beaminput and output optical fibers 4 a 1 to 4 a 4 can be arranged inparallel to one another in a predetermined direction, it is possible toreduce the occupied area on the circuit board on which the switch 1 ismounted while making the switch 1 compact in size, enabling an improvedefficiency in circuit board packaging.

Further, in this embodiment, since the lens connector 31 is used, as aninput output light-beam collimator, which has an integrally-formedcollimator lenses 30 a 1 to 30 a 4 corresponding to input and outputoptical fibers 4 a 1 to 4 a 4, as compared to the case of using fibercollimators (GI fiber) due to fusion-splicing, it is possible to preventthe occurrence of fluctuation associated with the refractive index ofthe fiber, and suppress the coupling loss to a low extent. As a result,it is possible to improve the practicality of the optical switch 1.

In particular, in this embodiment, using the lens collimator 31 makes itpossible to align the connector end face 12 containing the opticalfibers 4 a 1 to 4 a 4 with the one end face 33 of the lens connector 31with ease and with accuracy. It is thus possible to suppress thecoupling loss value without performing specialized processing.

Further, in this embodiment, the receptacle 7 is capable ofaccommodating therein integrally-formed the reflecting member 40including the reflectors 47 and 49 having the V-shaped groove 47 andW-shaped groove 48, and the moving mechanism 53 that moves thereflectors 47 and 49. Therefore, the need is eliminated of installing areflecting-member moving device such as a permanent magnet orelectromagnet outside the switch, and the size of the optical switch 1is made further compact.

In particular, in this embodiment, since the MT-RJ connector 2 isapplied to compose the optical switch 1, it is possible to provide amodule (receptacle 7 incorporating and accommodating the lens connectorand reflecting member 40) with no connector 5 that secures the opticalfibers 4 a 1 to 4 a 4 to a user as an optical switch module, forexample. In this case, with respect to the provided optical switchmodule, the user inserts and engages an MT-RJ connector into the opticalswitch module (receptacle 7) to operate as a 2×2 optical switch 1.

In other words, it is general in the conventional optical component thatoptical fibers stick out from part of the module, and the user needs toconnect the optical fibers of the module to optical fibers at a userside.

However, in the optical switch module applying the optical switch 1 ofthis embodiment that allows retrofitting of a connector, even anunsophisticated user is capable of assembling the optical switch 1 onlyby inserting the MT-RJ connector into the optical switch module.

Thus, the handling of the optical switch 1 at a user side isfacilitated. Further, in a field having the MT-RJ connector, it ispossible to assemble a 2×2 optical switch in the field.

In this embodiment, exchanging the lens connector 31 enables propertiesof the collimator to be variable. Further, for example, when a casearises that inconveniences only occur on the reflecting member 40, it isnot required to exchange the lens connector 31 (collimator). In otherwords, it is only required to exchange the receptacle 7 in which thereflecting member 40 is accommodated, and the lens connector 31(collimator) can be used continuously.

As a matter common to conventional optical switches as described above,there has been the problem that after assembling the optical switchmodule, it is impossible to modify its function or use part of thefunction (structural element) in another module without providing anyeffect on the switch. For example, after forming the optical switchmodule using GI fibers, it is not possible to remove only the GI fibersfrom the optical switch module to use in another optical component. Inother words, when inconveniences occur on the reflecting member such asa mirror, despite the other structural elements functioning normally,these elements are also abandoned.

However, according to this embodiment, when inconveniences occur oneither one of the connector 5, lens connector 31 and receptacle 7accommodating the reflecting member 40, it is only required to exchangea structural element with the inconveniences occurring thereon. Further,it is possible to use a normal structural element in another opticalswitch module.

Moreover, in this embodiment, in the insertion and removing of theconnector 5 (lens connector 31) into/from the receptacle 7, theopen/close shutter 28 is provided that that automatically opens andcloses the opening face 25 of the hollow portion 6 of the receptacle 7by the insertion and removing operations. Therefore, the opening face 25of the receptacle 7 is closed to interrupt the inside of the housingfrom the outside air except the time the connector 5 is inserted(engages in the receptacle), thereby avoiding the effect of the outsideair on the housing.

As properties of the collimator lenses 30 a 1 to 30 a 4 in thisembodiment, since it is designed that a spot diameter is set at 70 μm,and operation distance is set at 1.0 mm, it is possible to outputapproximately collimated light beams through the collimator lenses 30 a1 to 30 a 4. In other words, in this embodiment, whether to reflect theinput light beam by the V-shaped groove or the W-shaped groove causes anoptical path difference of maximum 500 μm in the optical path length ofthe reflected light beam.

Then, in this embodiment, in order to increase a tolerance of axisdeviation in the optical axis direction of the collimator lenses 30 a 1to 30 a 4, the light beams input and output through the input opticalfibers 4 a 1 to 4 a 4 are set to collimated light beams.

As a result, an insertion loss of 0.2 dB is caused for the operationlength of 1.0 mm, and the tolerance of the axis deviation in the opticalaxis direction for the insertion loss becomes, for example, enormouslylarge, for example, 800 μm. In other words, even though the operationlength shifts from 1.0 mm to 0.2 mm or 1.8 mm, the insertion loss can besuppressed within 0.2 dB.

(Second Embodiment)

The optical switch 1A of this embodiment is different from the opticalswitch 1 shown in FIGS. 3-1 to 3-5B in the first embodiment only in aconfiguration of the reflecting member. Therefore, the reflecting memberwill be only described with other descriptions omitted.

FIG. 3-6 is a view showing a reflecting member 60 in the optical switch1A of this embodiment. In addition, the same structural elements asthose of the reflecting member 40 shown in FIG. 3-5 are assigned thesame reference numerals to omit or simplify the descriptions.

As shown in FIG. 3-6, the reflecting member 60 of the optical switch 1Ais formed from silicon etching, replacing the moving mechanism 53 (rackgears 50 a 1 and 50 a 2, pinion gears 51 a 1 and 51 a 2 and rotationdriving portions 52 a 1 and 52 a 2), and is provided with a comb-shapedcomb drive actuator 61 capable of moving a movable electrode by staticelectricity, and a spring 62.

The comb drive actuator 61 is disposed at one side along the boundaryline between the first inner surface 46 a 1 and second inner surface 46a 2 in the reflecting member 60. The spring 62 as force-applying memberis disposed at the other side along the boundary. The spring 62 isconnected to an end face along the boundary line between incorporatedreflectors 47 a and 49 a, and forces the incorporated reflectors 47 aand 49 a against the comb drive side along the boundary line.

Meanwhile, the comb drive actuator 61 generates the static electricityon the comb-shaped fixed electrode 61 a, moves the comb-shaped variableelectrode 61 b to a side of the spring 62 along the boundary by thestatic electricity, and thus presses the incorporated reflectors 47 aand 49 a against the side of the spring 62.

In other words, according to this embodiment, when the balance is keptbetween the pressing force of the variable electrode 61 b acting on theincorporated reflectors 47 a and 49 a towards the side of the spring 62based on the static electricity generated from the comb drive actuator61, and the force of the spring 62 acting on the incorporated reflectors47 a and 49 a, the incorporated reflectors 47 a and 49 a do not move.

For example, when the inner surfaces 46 a 1 and 46 a 2 of the V-shapedgroove 46 of the reflector 47 a are opposed to the input optical fibers4 a 1 and 4 a 3, as in the first embodiment, light beams c1 and c2incident through the input optical fibers 4 a 1 and 4 a 3 are reflectedby the inner surfaces 46 a 1→46 a 2 and 46 a 2→46 a 1 of the V-shapedgroove, and output to the output optical fibers 4 a 4 and 4 a 2,respectively.

Then, when switching optical paths, the static electricity of the combdrive actuator 61 is adjusted in order for the force of the spring 42 tobe greater than the pressing force of the variable electrode 61 b basedon the static electricity of the comb drive actuator 61. As a result, bythe force of the spring 42, the incorporated reflectors 47 a and 49 amove towards the side of the comb drive actuator, and the inner surfaces48 a 1 and 48 a 2 of the W-shaped groove are opposite to the inputoptical fibers 4 a 1 and 4 a 3.

Thereafter, in the same way as in the first embodiment, light beams c1and c2 incident through the input optical fibers 4 a 1 and 4 a 3 arereflected by the inner surfaces 48 a 1→48 a 2 and 48 a 3→48 a 4 of theW-shaped groove, and output to the output optical fibers 4 a 2 and 4 a4, respectively.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the static electricityof the comb drive actuator 61 is adjusted corresponding to the force ofthe spring 42 to move the incorporated reflectors 47 a and 49 a, and itis thus possible to switch grooves that reflect light beams opposite theincident optical paths between the V-shaped groove 46 and W-shapedgroove 48. As a result, it is possible to obtain the same effects as inthe first embodiment such that 2×2 optical path switching function canbe achieved with ease.

(Third Embodiment)

The optical switch 1B of this embodiment is different from the opticalswitch 1 shown in FIGS. 3-1 to 3-5B in the first embodiment only in aconfiguration of a reflecting portion of the reflecting member.Therefore, the reflecting portion will be only described with otherdescriptions omitted.

FIG. 3-7 is a view showing a reflecting portion 71 of the reflectingmember in the optical switch 1B of this embodiment. In addition, thesame structural elements as those of the reflecting portion 45 shown inFIG. 3-4 are assigned the same reference numerals to omit or simplifythe descriptions. The reflecting member of this embodiment is alsoproduced precisely using the semiconductor production technology.

As shown in FIG. 3-7, the reflecting portion 71 is provided with aV-shaped reflector 73 having a V-shaped groove 72 engraved along a planeopposite to the optical paths of the optical fibers 4 a 1 to 4 a 4 andin the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the opticalfibers are arranged, and a prism member 74 that engages in the V-shapedgroove 72 of the V-shaped reflector 73.

The V-shaped groove 72 is approximately the same as the V-shaped groove46 in the first embodiment, and has a first inner surface 72 a 1opposite to optical paths of the input optical fiber 4 a 1 and outputoptical path 4 a 2, and a second inner surface 72 a 2 which is adjacentat a 90-degree interior angle to the first inner surface 72 a 1 alongthe direction the optical fibers are arranged, and is opposite tooptical paths of the input optical fiber 4 a 3 and output optical fiber4 a 4.

The prism member 74 is movable along the boundary direction of theV-shaped groove 72, and has first and second outer surfaces 74 a 1 and74 a 2 adjacent respectively at a 90-degree interior angle to the firstand second inner surfaces 72 a 1 and 72 a 2 of the V-shaped groove 72.

Then, as shown in FIG. 3-7, the reflecting portion 71 is furtherprovided with a moving plate 75 that is movable on the V-shapedreflector 73 along the groove direction and coupled to the prism member74, rack gears 76 a 1 and 76 a 2 respectively provided on opposite sidefaces of the moving plate 75 along the direction in which the plate 65moves, pinion gears 77 a 1 and 77 a 2 respectively engaging the rackgears 76 a 1 and 76 a 2, and rotation driving portions 78 a 1 and 78 a 2which are coupled to axes of the pinion gears 77 a 1 and 77 a 2, anddrive the pinion gears 77 a 1 and 77 a 2 to rotate corresponding to thesupplied power, respectively. A moving mechanism 79 is composed of therack gears 76 a 1 and 76 a 2, pinion gears 77 a 1 and 77 a 2 androtation driving portions 78 a 1 and 78 a 2.

According to this configuration, when the inner surfaces 72 a 1 and 72 a2 of the V-shaped groove 72 of the V-shaped reflector 73 are opposed tothe input optical fibers 4 a 1 and 4 a 3, as in the first embodiment,light beams c1 and c2 incident through the input optical fibers 4 a 1and 4 a 3 are reflected by the inner surfaces 72 a 1→72 a 2 and 72 a2→72 a 1 of the V-shaped groove, and output to the output optical fibers4 a 4 and 4 a 2, respectively.

Then, when switching optical paths, the power is supplied to therotation driving portions 78 a 1 and 78 a 2 through the electrode 55,thereby operates the rotation driving portions 78 a 1 and 78 a 2, and asshown in the figure, the pinion gears 77 a 1 and 77 a 2 are rotated indirections d4 and d5 shown by two-dot-dash line arrows in the figure,respectively.

As a result, the moving plate 75 with therein formed rack gears 76 a 1and 76 a 2 engaging the pinion gears 77 a 1 and 77 a 2 moves along theV-shaped groove 72 (direction d6 shown by the two-dot-dash line arrow)as well as the prism member 74, according to the rotation of the piniongears 77 a 1 and 77 a 2.

Then, the prism member 74 moves via the moving plate 75 to a position inwhich the first outer surface 74 a 1 is opposite to the output opticalfiber 4 a 2, while the second outer surface 74 a 2 is opposite to theinput optical fiber 4 a 3.

Under this condition, light beams c1 and c2 incident through the inputoptical fibers 4 a 1 and 4 a 3 are reflected by V-shaped groove innersurface 72 a 1→prism member outer surface 74 a 1 and prism member outersurface 74 a 2→V-shaped groove inner surface 72 a 2, and output to theoutput optical fibers 4 a 2 and 4 a 4, respectively.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the moving plate 75and the prism member 74 are moved using the moving mechanism 79, and theprism member 74 is loaded and unloaded on the optical paths of theoutput optical fiber 4 a 2 and input optical fiber 4 a 3, whereby it ispossible to switch surfaces reflecting the light beam opposite the inputoptical path. As a result, it is possible to obtain the same effects asin the first embodiment such that 2×2 optical path switching functioncan be achieved with ease.

In addition, in this embodiment, the moving mechanism including rackgears and pinion gears is used as a mechanism that moves the movingplate 75 and prism member 74, but the third invention is not limited tosuch a mechanism. It may be possible to use another moving mechanismincluding a comb drive actuator and spring as illustrated in the secondembodiment, for example.

(Fourth Embodiment)

The optical switch 1C of this embodiment is different from the opticalswitch 1 shown in FIGS. 3-1 to 3-5B in the first embodiment only in aconfiguration of a reflecting portion of the reflecting member.Therefore, the reflecting portion will be only described with otherdescriptions omitted.

FIG. 3-8 is a view showing reflectors 82 and 83 in the reflectingportion of the reflecting member 8 in the optical switch 1C of thisembodiment. In addition, the same structural elements as those of thereflecting portion 45 shown in FIG. 3-5 are assigned the same referencenumerals to omit or simplify the descriptions.

The reflectors 82 and 83 are provided with a rotatable gear portion 81with its rotation axis disposed along optical paths of the opticalfibers 4 a 1 to 4 a 4. The reflectors 82 and 83 are respectivelyV-shaped reflector 82 which is provided on a face 81 a opposite to theoptical paths of the optical fibers 4 a 1 to 4 a 4 of the gear portion81 and has a V-shaped groove 46, and W-shaped reflector 83 which is, onthe face 81 a, spaced a predetermined distance apart from the V-shapedreflector 82 and has a W-shaped groove 48.

The reflectors 82 and 83 rotate about a rotation driving portion 80 thatdrives the gear portion 81 to rotate.

In the same way as in the first embodiment, under the condition that theV-shaped reflector 82 is placed on the input and output optical paths,the V-shaped groove 46 has a first inner surface 46 a 1 opposite tooptical paths of the input optical fiber 4 a 1 and output optical path 4a 2, and a second inner surface 46 a 2 which is adjacent at a 90-degreeinterior angle to the first inner surface 46 a 1 along the direction theoptical fibers are arranged, and is opposite to optical paths of theinput optical fiber 4 a 3 and output optical fiber 4 a 4.

Further, under the condition that the W-shaped reflector 83 is placed onthe input and output optical paths, the W-shaped groove 48 is providedwith a third inner surface 48 a 1 opposite to the input optical fiber 4a 1, fourth inner surface 48 a 2 opposite to the output optical path 4 a2, fifth inner surface 48 a 3 opposite to the input optical fiber 4 a 3,and sixth inner surface 48 a 4 opposite to the output optical fiber 4 a4 where the third to sixth inner surfaces 48 a 1 to 48 a 4 are adjacentto one another sequentially each at a 90-degree interior degree.

In other words, also in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, byrotating the gear portion 81 via the rotation driving portion 80, it ispossible to switch grooves that reflect the light beam opposite theinput optical path between the V-shaped groove 46 and W-shaped groove48. As a result, it is possible to obtain the same effects as in thefirst embodiment such that 2×2 optical path switching function can beachieved with ease.

The above-mentioned embodiments are only examples of embodiments of thethird invention, and the scope of the third invention is not limited tothe embodiments, and allows various modifications.

In other words, while the first to fourth embodiments describe a 2×2optical switch with two input light beams and two output light beams,the third invention is not limited to such an optical switch, and isapplicable similarly to an n×n (n is an integer more than or equal to2).

In addition, while in the first to fourth embodiments reflectors areplate-shaped members, the reflectors may have desirable shapes.

While in the first to fourth embodiments, a four-conductor MT-RJconnector is used as a connector, other connectors are available as amatter of course.

Further, in the first to fourth embodiments, the semiconductorproduction technology is used to produce the reflecting member, but thethird invention is not limited to such a technology. For example, in theprecision machine industry that manufactures, for example, wristwatches,since similar micro parts (such that rack gear and pinion gear) aregenerally manufactured, it is possible to produce the reflecting memberusing such a mature existing technique with high reliability.

Further, in the first to fourth embodiments, guide pins 41 a 1 and 41 a2 are attached to the reflecting member 40, but the third invention isnot limited to the foregoing; it may be possible to form guide pin holesat positions where the guide pings are provided in the reflecting member40, and to pass the guide pins 41 a 1 and 41 a 2 through the guide pinholes 15 a 1 and 15 a 2 of the connector 5, guide pin holes 35 a 1 and35 a 2 of the lens connector 31, and guide pin holes of the reflectingmember 40 respectively to align.

As described above, according to optical switches of the thirdinvention, a connector module incorporated in advance with a pluralityof light-beam input optical paths and light-beam output optical pathsaccommodates a light-beam reflecting member having the function ofswitching light-beam optical paths, and the aligning means aligns theconnector module with the light-beam reflecting member.

Thus, the need is eliminated of securing the plurality of light-beaminput optical paths and light-beam output optical paths, and it isthereby possible to facilitate the assembly of optical switch.

Further, it is possible to handle a connector module which ismodularized to have a plurality of light-beam input optical paths andlight-beam output optical paths, without handling the plurality oflight-beam input optical paths and output optical paths such as opticalfibers, thus enabling improved performance in handling the opticalswitch.

Furthermore, since it is possible to align the connector module with thereflecting member, it is possible to eliminate or greatly reduce theneed of complicated alignment in the assembly of the optical switch, andto simplify the assembly of the optical switch.

Moreover, the connector module accommodates a light-beam reflectingmember having the function of switching light-beam optical paths, andtherefore, the need is eliminated of installing a reflecting-membermoving device such as a permanent magnet or electromagnet outside theswitch, and the size of the optical switch is made further compact.

1. An optical functional module comprising: (a) at least one cableholding member that holds an optical fiber; (b) an optical functionalcomponent that exerts a predetermined effect on light; (c) a powersupply device for said optical functional component provided with areception electrode provided on a surface of said optical functionalcomponent and a power supply electrode that supplies power to saidreception electrode while holding tight said reception electrode on itsside faces and thereby holding said optical functional componentdetachably; and (d) a housing that secures said cable holding means andsaid power supply electrode.
 2. The optical functional module of claim1, wherein said cable holding member is provided with a collimator lens.3. The optical functional module of claim 1, wherein said power supplydevice for the optical functional component is further provided with aprotecting member that is made of an insulating material and surroundsthe power supply electrode to prevent current leaks.
 4. The opticalfunctional module of claim 1, wherein said power supply electrode isprovided with two bent metallic members which are in intimate contactwith said reception electrode by elasticity.
 5. The optical functionalmodule of claim 1, wherein said power supply electrode is provided witha bent metallic member which is in intimate contact with said receptionelectrode by elasticity.
 6. The optical functional module of claim 1,wherein said power supply electrode is provided with two metallicmembers and contacting means for bringing the two metallic members intointimate with said reception electrode.
 7. The optical functional moduleof claim 6, wherein said contacting means is a spring.
 8. The opticalfunctional module of claim 1, wherein said optical functional componentis an MEMS component.